Working a dog in a muzzle

[taff]

OK so just hear me out before you judge! I have other dogs who work sheep and cows fine without a muzzle but I have one older collie who has become untrustworthy on sheep gripping to hard! I decided to keep him just for the cattle where he can be a bit harder without doing to much harm but he wasn't a bad sheep dog and he's getting fat so I was wondering how people get on working dogs in muzzles? I tried it when he first started being difficult and he just destroyed the muzzle what type of muzzles do people use?

 

[CopperBeech]

How hard is too hard?

Ive got a couple that are . . . pretty hard lol.

 

[taff]

He grips on the flanks and 1 time out if three will tear the skin just can't be doing with having something else to worry about all others I've had and have have kept to the face maybe iv been spoilt

 

[GTB]

Nothing wrong with working a dog in a muzzle IMHO. Far better than the alternative?

 

[hoggs]

OK so just hear me out before you judge! I have other dogs who work sheep and cows fine without a muzzle but I have one older collie who has become untrustworthy on sheep gripping to hard! I decided to keep him just for the cattle where he can be a bit harder without doing to much harm but he wasn't a bad sheep dog and he's getting fat so I was wondering how people get on working dogs in muzzles? I tried it when he first started being difficult and he just destroyed the muzzle what type of muzzles do people use?

I have a welsh sheep dog that grabs sheep ears. It also destroys the muzzles pretty quickly. i got a hard plastic muzzle and shaped a piece of 4" x 3" timber into the same shape as the muzzle, them got a rain water gutter mesh that stops leaves going down the down pipe and hammered it over the timber shaped like a muzzle until it fits tidy over plastic muzzle , then tie it onto muzzle using a LOT of cable ties with catch on outside of the mesh . this one is still going after 12 months.

 

[Dry Rot]

http://www.fordogtrainers.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3

 

[Leereade]

Nothing wrong with it just make sure you take it off so that it can drink

 

[JohnGalway]

Put our dog in a muzzle once, he turned into a plough

 

[unlacedgecko]

 

[unlacedgecko]

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Company_of..._find=137560&gclid=CKaqzpCcmtECFXQo0wodxHMFRQ

Gripping clients' sheep is a big no no. I invested in the above after an unfortunate incident resulting in a ripped muzzle. This one seems best as it can be connected to the collar top and bottom.

She took some getting used to it, but a treat with every application has helped. She tries to rub it off on the ground, but generally doesn't distract her from working.

When I get time in the spring/summer I'll go to a trainer and seek some advice on how to reduce gripping, and the bad habit she has of hunting stragglers.

 

[taff]

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Company_of..._find=137560&gclid=CKaqzpCcmtECFXQo0wodxHMFRQ

That looks like it might last a bit longer than my last one thanks! On the up side the destroyed one that hangs in the porch dose act as a good cold caller deterrent!!

 

[BELOWAVERAGE]

I had a dog off another TFF member, a year or two ago which kept worrying his neighbours sheep, and he didn't want to put it down as it was such a good cattle dog, he very kindly brought the dog and dropped him off(252 miles) as he was about to get back in the car to leave, he opened the back door and produced a muzzle and said you might as well have this you might need it, its only a cheap plastic one but works a treat, you can't work the dog without it he'll rip anything(loves cows udders), he is a very good cattle dog though and I wouldn't part with him, however you can't work him on cattle if there is sheep in an adjoining field, he goes completely deaf and is gone, he can catch and pin to the ground a month old lamb even with his muzzle on.

 

[Leereade]

I had a dog off another TFF member, a year or two ago which kept worrying his neighbours sheep, and he didn't want to put it down as it was such a good cattle dog, he very kindly brought the dog and dropped him off(252 miles) as he was about to get back in the car to leave, he opened the back door and produced a muzzle and said you might as well have this you might need it, its only a cheap plastic one but works a treat, you can't work the dog without it he'll rip anything(loves cows udders), he is a very good cattle dog though and I wouldn't part with him, however you can't work him on cattle if there is sheep in an adjoining field, he goes completely deaf and is gone, he can catch and pin to the ground a month old lamb even with his muzzle on.

Out of interest are your cows well dogged?? Just wondering with
Him being muzzled how does he deal with a cow that won't move

 

[BELOWAVERAGE]

Out of interest are your cows well dogged?? Just wondering with
Him being muzzled how does he deal with a cow that won't move

They don't have a choice with him, he behave's as though he's not got one on, he has an excellent out run and does the whole field against the hedge, before starting to work back, by the time he has done the first 100yds of his out run in a 20 acre field with 140 cows in there isn't a cow that's not heading for the gate, we have a welsh collie and you could walk the entire field with that and none would lift their head.

 

[Leereade]

They don't have a choice with him, he behave's as though he's not got one on, he has an excellent out run and does the whole field against the hedge, before starting to work back, by the time he has done the first 100yds of his out run in a 20 acre field with 140 cows in there isn't a cow that's not heading for the gate, we have a welsh collie and you could walk the entire field with that and none would lift their head.

Sounds a fair dog have you tried him on sheep

 

[BELOWAVERAGE]

Sounds a fair dog have you tried him on sheep

The chap we had him off, had him cheap off a trainer as he couldn't stop him gripping sheep and he had only cattle, I have tried him but he just goes deaf and won't stop running them, if the trainer had used a muzzle in the first place I think he would be a good sheep dog, but would of needed a muzzle, I think running feral on the previous owners neighbours sheep has ruined him for sheep work.